Madhubani artist Mahasundari Devi

Madhubani artist Mahasundari Devi passed away on Thursday morning after prolonged illness at her native village of Ranti.

The nonagenarian artist made an outstanding contribution in the field of Madhubani painting also known as Mithila art. A self-made artist, Mahasundari had been honoured with several national and international awards since 1969. Her last rites will be performed at Ranti, about 210km northeast of Patna, on Friday morning. “She was ill for the past six months. Her body will be preserved till Friday so that people can pay their respects,” said the artist’s eldest son Bipin Kumar Das.

Talking to The Telegraph about Mahasundari’s contribution to Mithila paintings, sociologist Hetukar Jha said: “In the ’70s, Mahasundari Devi among others for the first time transferred the painting technique from mud wall and hut floor to papers, clothes and canvas. She arrested Mithila culture on painting and made it popular. She will also be remembered for her role in the preservation of culture.”

Jha said: “Mahasundari passed on the art form to the new generation. She also played a key role in preserving Mithila art and culture and spreading it around the world.”

Mridula Prakash, first doctorate in Mithila painting, said: “There are three prominent styles of Mithila paintings —colour, line and Harijan. Mahasundri practised the line style, which requires deep concentration. She received prominence after the famine of 1966, when she gifted four paintings —Kohbar (depicting a room in which newly-wed couple see each other on wedding night) painting, Baas (bamboos), Dashavtar (depicting the 10 incarnation of God) and Kamal (fish) — to a representative of Handloom and Handicraft Export Corporation, India,” Mridula said.